Every girl wants to look fresh and alluring on her special day. In olden times, the preparations began some months ahead with the girls taking pains to use home-made scrubs ( ubtans ). The modern bride, however, is a multi-tasker who handles office, home, shopping, social dos ...
With more working women preferring to settle in their late 20s, 30s or even early 40s, the notion of ‘beauty is skin deep' is now just a bookish one. These brides are opting for advanced treatment to look young and fresh on D-day. From Botox to de-tanning to liposuction, they are doing it all.
Over the years, there has been a shift in people's perception of beauty. There is more willingness to get looks enhanced with the help of cosmetic surgery. Certainly the modern-day bride has come a long way.
A 33-year-old can't look like a 20-something bride. But if she can, a few treatments later, look younger and fresher, then why not? Today's girls are willing to spend money to get the desired results.
Today, career-minded women have to deal with a lot of stress. Add to it their advancing age. On D-day they definitely want to get rid of those tired looks, fine lines and wrinkles. There has been a sharp increase in the number of women wanting Botox treatment to smooth out wrinkles on the forehead. Some even use it to get shapely eyebrows and a slender neck via a procedure popularly known as Nefertiti neck.
Interestingly, some women also opt for Botox treatment to control underarm sweating. Brides certainly do not want to ruin an expensive designer wedding dress. Hence, they opt for quick fix treatments to be sure that they will be more relaxed during the big day. It takes just half an hour and the results continue for 3-4 months.
Those unhappy with their features go one step ahead and get a shot of dermal fillers. Be it getting a sexy pout, chubby cheeks or even a shapely chin, older brides are discovering a whole new world of aesthetic enhancements and makeovers!
There's a craze among women today to get a particular kind of lips or enhance certain features of their face. Some feel the need to lift their skin a bit and have well-rounded cheeks while others like to have a shapely chin. All this is possible with the new-age hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm. These are fast to administer and the results last for a whole year. Since there is a small downtime, such treatments are usually a last minute procedure and can be taken just 2-3 weeks before the special day.
Other treatments include lightening and polishing skin such as chemical peels, Dermabrasion, body shaping treatment such as UltraLipo that help in instant fat loss. Skin tightening procedures such as Thermage are also a rage to get a taut skin and shapely body. Price is not a bar when it comes to being the glam goddess on one's wedding. So, behold, spectators, here comes the Botox(ed) bride!
What is the cost of treatments?
The cost is governed by the laxity of skin, loss of volume in the area being treated or presenting problem like scars or pigmentation.
Botox, when done for elevating the wrinkles from the upper face, can cost anything from Rs.10,000-Rs.16,000. When done for the neck lines (Nefertiti) it can cost around Rs.20,000-Rs.24,000.
Similarly, the cost of dermal fillers will depend on the type and quantity of the product used, so it can range from Rs.10, 000 to Rs.50, 000.
What are the specific results obtained from the above treatments?
Botox relaxes the wrinkle causing muscles giving a smooth, and youthful appearance.
Dermal fillers such as Juvederm help replace the lost volume and offer a non-surgical approach to reclaiming a youthful appearance and also hydrate the skin.
Peels and dermabrasion help exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin. Thermage uses radiofrequency technology to heat the deep, collagen rich layers of your skin and helps tighten existing collagen and stimulate the formation of new collagen. This reduces sagging, renews contours, and improves smoothness and texture of the skin.
Dos and don'ts
For Botox
Don't lie down completely for four hours
Don't take a flight for 3 hours
Don't vigorously massage treated area for 24-48 hours
Don't exercise for 24 hours post-injection
Do animate the injected site for half to one hour
For fillers
No Sauna, massage or facial for 3-4 days
No other cosmetic heat treatment (like Thermage or Lasers)
Reduce smoking and drinking to increase filler's longevity
No kissing if injected in and around lip area
Avoid too hot/cold food if dental block is used before injecting
For Peel/Dermabrasion
After treatment, sunscreen application is of utmost importance
Do not use any topical cream with active peeling agents 24-48 hours prior to the treatment (unless advised by the physician)
The writer is a Mumbai-based cosmetologist.
